In order to help with and speed up the rescue operations in Sri Lanka, the central government has sent navy ships and rescue materials to the neighbouring island country

In order to help with and speed up the rescue operations in Sri Lanka, the central government has sent navy ships and rescue materials to the neighbouring island country (Reuters)

In order to help with and speed up the rescue operations in Sri Lanka, the central government has sent navy ships and rescue materials to the neighbouring island country, ANI reported. Sri Lanka has been facing torrential rains which have resulted in landslides and floods causing several deaths and massive destruction in the last two days. According to last reports, 91 people had been reported dead while 110 were still missing. ANI quoted the Colombo Page stating that the Disaster Management had reported the death of 40 people in the western province and 48 in the central province.

The Indian Navy’s INS Kirch has meanwhile reached Sri Lanka for the relief operations on Saturday, while two more ships will reach the region in some hours. Here are 5 things to know about the natural disaster and the rescue process:

1) The INS Jalashwan will sail from Visakhapatnam with the Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief stores with them. the HADR will include victualling, clothing, medicines and water. The INS Jalashwan’s payload will also include medical and diving teams along with Gemini crafts and helicopters to help with the flood situation in Colombo. It is expected to reach the shores of Colombo by late afternoon tomorrow, ANI reported.

2) The INS Shardul, the third ship sent by India to help Sri Lanka in the relief operations, left Kochi today at 7 AM in the morning and will arrive in Colombo on the night. Meanwhile, other assets and resources have been standing at a short notice to provide help, if and when needed.

3) It must be noted that severe and continuous rains in the southern and western parts of Sri Lanka have caused floods, destroying hundreds of houses and landslides, blocking the means of transport to many of these places. Although, the tri forces, the Disaster Management and the District Secretariats are reported to have launched several relief and rescue operations.

4) There are no specific reports about how many people have been affected by the disaster. The Disaster Management Centre reported that 61, 315 people have been affected by the natural calamity. However, ANI reported that 50,000 from around 13 districts have been affected but about 8,000 of them have already been evacuated from Kaltura, one of the worst hit cities of the country.

5) According to the said report, nearly 300 army troops and 13 Navy rescue teams have already been employed in Weeraketiya, Neluwa, Morawaka, Deiyandara, Padukka, Bulathsinhala, Kalawana, Wellampitiya, Palindanuwara and Beliatta areas. The Sri Lankan Air Force is also reported to have deployed one helicopter for Neluwa while arranging 3 more for other rescue operations.